Data generating device capable of appending different watermarks to corresponding pages

ABSTRACT

A computer is provided with an application and a printer driver. A user of the computer generates image data using the application. When the image data is for a plurality of pages, the user selects a desired watermark for each of the plurality of pages. The printer driver converts the image data into print data, and combines selected watermarks with the print data for corresponding pages, thereby generating updated print data. The updated print data is output as a single print job to the printer. The printer executes printing operations based on the print job so as to print an image on a plurality of pages, each formed with a corresponding watermark.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/797,828filed on Mar. 5, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,027,179, the entiredisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. This application claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2000-059045, filed on Mar. 3, 2000 and Japanese PatentApplication No. 2001-057823 filed Mar. 2, 2001, the entire disclosuresof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a data generating device and also to acontrol unit, a control method, and a storing medium storing a programfor controlling the data generating device.

A conventional computer is usually provided with an application softwareand a printer engine. In order for obtaining images using a printer,first a user generates image data using the application software at thecomputer. Then, the image data is converted into print data by theprinter engine and transmitted to the printer. The printer performsprinting operation for forming images based on the received print data.

Japanese Patent Application Publication (Kokai) No. 11-296334 disclosesa computer including a memory which stores a plurality of overlaymacros. The overlay macros are for automatically forming predeterminedstamp images over an original image on a recording sheet. The stamp markmay be “CONFIDENTIAL”, “COMPANY SECRET”, “COPY”, “IMPORTANT”, and thelike. In this configuration, a user generates image data and selects adesired overlay macro at the computer. Then, a printer engine of thecomputer converts the image data into print data, and appends theselected overlay macro to the print data. The print data appended withthe selected overlay macro is output to a printer, and the printerexecutes printing for producing the original image with the stamp markformed over the original image.

However, when the generated image includes a plurality of pages, thenthe user cannot select a different overlay macro for each of the pages.Therefore, when the user wishes to use a different stamp mark for eachof the pages, the user needs to generate stamp marks on the applicationor retrieve the stamp marks from a memory and then attach the stampmarks to the respective pages using the application. These operationsare time consuming and troublesome for the user.

In order to overcome the above problems, there has been proposed aprinter system including a computer and a printer connected to thecomputer, where a user can set a different macros for each of aplurality of pages. Specifically, the printer includes a memory whichstores a plurality of macros. When the user generates image data for aplurality of pages, the user selects a desired macro for each of thepages. Then, print data corresponding to the image data is output to theprinter along with information indicating the selected macros. Theprinter retrieves macros which are indicated by the receivedinformation, and executes printing based on both the print data and theretrieved macros. In this way, the printer can printout a plurality ofpages based on a corresponding different macro.

However, in this case, the printer needs to include the memory forstoring macros and also a large capacity for processing data. Moreover,because the memory of the printer usually has a limited memory capacity,a stamp mark having a relatively large data size may not be used.

SUMMARY

It is an objective of the present invention to overcome theabove-described problems and also to provide a data generating device togenerate a print job in a simple and reliable manner so that an imageforming device forms images on a plurality of pages each with adifferent stamp mark based on the print job.

It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a controldevice, a control method, and a storing medium storing a program forcontrolling the data generating device.

In order for achieving the above and other objectives, there is provideda control device provided to an image data generating device includingan image data generating unit that generates image data for a pluralityof pages and a communication unit communicable with an external imageforming device. The control device includes a receiving unit thatreceives the image data from the image data generating unit, aconverting unit that converts one-page-worth of the image data intoprint data, a mark selecting unit that selects one of a plurality ofmarks for each one of the plurality of pages, and a mark combining unitthat combines the print data with corresponding one of the plurality ofmarks selected by the mark selecting unit.

Also, there is provided an image data generating device including animage data generating unit that generates image data for a plurality ofpages, a converting unit that converts one page worth of the image datainto print data, a mark selecting unit that selects one of a pluralityof marks for each one of the plurality of pages, a mark combining unitthat combines the print data with corresponding one of the plurality ofmarks selected by the mark selecting unit, thereby updating the printdata.

There is also provided a control method of controlling a data generatingdevice communicable with an external image forming device. The controlmethod includes the steps of a) selecting one of a plurality of marksfor each of a plurality of pages, b) converting one-page-worth of imagedata into print data, and c) combining the print data with correspondingone of the plurality of marks selected in the step a), thereby updatingthe print data.

Further, there is provided a storing medium storing a program ofcontrolling a data generating device communicable with an external imageforming device. The program includes the programs of a) selecting one ofthe plurality of marks for each of a plurality of pages, b) convertingone-page-worth of image data into print data, and c) combining the printdata with corresponding one of the plurality of marks selected by theprogram a), thereby updating the print data.

Moreover, there is provided a control device provided to an image datagenerating device including an image data generating unit that generatesimage data and a communication unit communicable with an external imageforming device. The control device includes a receiving unit thatreceives the image data from the image data generating unit, aconverting unit that converts the image data into print data, a copynumber selecting unit that selects a number of document copies, whereinthe converting unit repeatedly converts the image data into print datafor each of the document copies, a mark selecting unit that selects oneof a plurality of marks for each one of the document copies, and acombining unit that repeatedly combines the selected one of theplurality of marks with the corresponding print data so as to update theprint data for all of the document copies.

There is provided an image data generating device communicable with anexternal image forming device. The image data generating device includesan image data generating unit that generates image data, a convertingunit that converts the image data into print data, a copy numberselecting unit that selects a number of document copies, wherein theconverting unit repeatedly converts the image data into print data foreach of the document copies, a mark selecting unit that selects one of aplurality of marks for each one of the document copies, and a combiningunit that repeatedly combines the selected one of the plurality of markswith the corresponding print data so as to update the print data for allof the document copies.

There is also provided a control method of controlling an image datagenerating device communicable with an external image forming device.The control method includes the steps of a) generating print data for adocument, b) selecting a number of document copies, c) selecting one ofa plurality of marks for each one of the document copies, d) combiningthe selected one of the plurality of marks with the print data, therebyupdating the print data, and e) outputting the print data updated in thestep d) to the external image forming device, wherein the steps d) ande) are repeatedly executed for all of the document copies.

There is provided a storing medium storing a program of controlling animage data generating device communicable with an external image formingdevice. The program includes the programs of a) generating print datafor a document, b) selecting a number of document copies, c) selectingone of the plurality of marks for each one of the document copies, d)combining the selected one of the plurality of marks with the printdata, thereby updating the print data, and e) outputting the print dataupdated by the program d) to the external image forming device, whereinthe programs d) and e) are repeatedly executed for all of the documentcopies.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a print dialog displayed on a monitor of thecomputer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a watermark setting dialog displayed on themonitor of the computer;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing a page process executed by thecomputer printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing an example of printing results obtained bya printer connected to the computer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer according to a second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a box included in a print dialog displayed on amonitor of the computer of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart representing a copy process executed in thecomputer of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Next, computers according to preferable embodiments of the presentinvention will be described while referring to FIGS. 1 to 8. First, acomputer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention willbe described while referring to FIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the computer 1 includes a central processing unit(CPU) 8, a read only memory (ROM) 50, a random access memory (RAM) 51, ahard disk drive (HDD) 10, and a printer interface 4. The printerinterface 4 is connected to a printer 7.

An application 2 and a printer driver 3 has been installed into the HDD10 from an external memory, such as a floppy disk. The application 2 isan application program such as a word processing software and the like.When a user generates an image including letters and characters, theapplication 2 is loaded into a predetermined region of the RAM 51, andis executed by the CPU 8.

The printer driver 3 is designed specifically for the printer 7. When amain power of the compute 1 is turned ON, the printer driver 3 is loadedinto a predetermined region of the RAM 51 and executed by the CPU 8. Theprinter driver 3 includes an image information converting program 5 andan image information setting program 6.

The image information converting program 5 receives image data generatedby the application 2, and converts the image data into print data in aform of predetermined tone and dot unit.

The image information setting program 6 is used for setting variousinformation relating to printing, and includes a print setting program,a sheet setting program, a watermark setting program, a list displayprogram, and the like. The print setting program is for setting basicprinting conditions, such as printing quality, color adjustment,half-tone selection, and the like. The sheet setting program is forselecting a size and an orientation of a recording sheet to be used. Thewatermark setting program is for setting watermarks as marks. Awatermark is a predetermined image including letters and/or charactersformed over an original image on a recording sheet. The list displayprogram is for displaying a watermark selection list 14 (describedlater) and the like.

The watermark setting program includes a watermark generating program, awatermark appending program, and a watermark individually appendingprogram. The watermark generating program is for generating a pluralityof different watermarks. The watermark appending program is forcombining a specified watermark with print data so as to update theprint data. The watermark individually appending program is forcombining a plurality of different watermarks with print data forcorresponding ones of plurality of pages so as to update the print data.

When the printer driver 3 receives image data generated by theapplication 2, the image information converting program 5 converts theimage data into print data. At the same time, the image informationsetting program 6 sets various printing settings, and outputs theinformation as setting information to the information converting program5. Then, the information converting program 5 outputs the print dataappended with the setting information to the printer 7 via the printerinterface 4.

Next, a process for combining a watermark with print data at thecomputer 1 will be described.

First, a user generates an image at the computer 1 by using theapplication 2. It is assumed that in the present example the imageincludes a plurality of pages. Next, the user controls the computer 1 todisplay a print dialog 11 shown in FIG. 2, on which the user selectsdesired printing settings. Specifically, the print dialog 11 includes aninformation dialog, a detail dialog, a common dialog, a sheet dialog, agraphics dialog, a device option dialog, a both-side printing dialog,and a watermark dialog. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a watermarkdialog 12 is selected and displayed at the top of the dialogs.

Then, the user checks on a checkbox 13 for indicating that the userwishes to use a watermark. Next, the user selects a desired watermarkamong watermark selection list 14. In this embodiment, the watermarkselection list 14 includes a “CONFIDENTIAL” watermark, a “COPY”watermark, a “DRAFT” watermark, and a “COMPANY SECRET” watermark.

When the user selects a desired watermark which is “COMPANY SECRET” inthis example, then a preview window 29 displays the selected watermarkso that the user can confirm how the selected watermark will be printedon a recording sheet.

Next, the user selects whether the selected watermark is formed on afirst page only or all of the pages. If the user wishes to form thewatermark on the first page only, then the user checks a checkbox 25 ina watermark print setting box 24. In this way, the selected watermark isset for the first page only, and no watermark is set for the rest of thepages. On the other hand, if the user wishes to form the watermark onall of the pages, then the user leaves the checkbox 25 unchecked orremoves a checkmark from the checkbox 25. In this way, the selectedwatermark is set in common for all the pages.

Next, the user selects one of a background printing or a stamp printing.In the background printing, the watermark is printed as a backgroundwatermark of the image at a pale tone. On the other hand, in the stampprinting, the watermark is printed at the same density as that of theimage. To select the background printing, the user checks on a checkbox26 in the watermark print setting box 24. To select the stamp printing,the user leaves the checkbox 26 unchecked or removes a checkmark fromthe checkbox 26.

If the user wishes to form a different watermark for each of theplurality of pages, the user checks on a checkbox 27 a in a watermarkpage setting box 27. When the checkbox 27 a is checked, the settingsindicated on the watermark page setting box 27 are selected in priorityover the settings indicated on the watermark print setting box 24, so ifthe user wishes to use the settings indicated in the watermark printsetting box 24, then the user leaves the checkbox 27 a unchecked orremoves a checkmark from the checkbox 27 a.

In the watermark page setting box 27, the user selects a desiredwatermark for each of the pages. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the“COMPANY SECRET” watermark and the “CONFIDENTIAL” watermark are selectedfor the first page and the second page, respectively, and no watermarkis selected for the third page.

Next, a page process will be described while referring to the flowchartof FIG. 4. The page process is executed when the user inputs a printcommand after having generated an image at the application 2. Once thepage process is started, a page number of a current page is detected(S1), and one-page-worth of the image data is converted into print datafor the current page (S2). Next, it is detected whether or not anywatermark is selected for the current page (S3). If not (S3:NO), thenthe print data is output to the printer interface 4 (S8), and thepresent process is ended.

On the other hand, if so (S3:YES), then it is detected whether or not awatermark is individually selected for each of the pages (S4). If so(S4:YES), then a watermark selected for the current page is retrieved(S5) and combined with the print data (S7), thereby updating the printdata. The updated print data is output to the printer interface 4 (S8),and the present process is ended.

On the other hand, if not (S4:NO), then a watermark selected in commonfor all pages is retrieved (S6), and combined with the print data (S7),thereby updating the print data. The updated print data is output to theprinter interface 4 (S8), and the present process is ended.

The above-described page process is repeatedly executed for all pages.Then, the printer interface 4 outputs all the print data as a singleprint job to the printer 7. The printer 7 executes printing based on theprint job. FIG. 5 shows an example of printing result. In this example,a first page and a second page are formed with original images (notshown) with the “COMPANY SECRET” watermark and the “CONFIDENTIAL”watermark formed thereover, respectively, at either the stamp printingor the background printing.

It should be noted that the user can add a new watermark to thewatermark selection list 14, change any of the watermarks listed in thewatermark selection list 14, and delete an unnecessary watermark fromthe watermark selection list 14 as desired.

Specifically, when the user wishes to add a new watermark, then the userclicks on the “NEW” button 16 of the print dialog 11, so the watermarksetting dialog 17 is displayed. Then, the user inputs a title of the newwatermark on the title box 18, and indicates whether the new watermarkis a text watermark or a bitmap image watermark by checking acorresponding checkbox in the style box 19. When the watermark is a textwatermark, the user sets text settings in the text box 20 for setting atext and a font, a size, a density, and a style of the text. The previewwindow 22 displays an image indicating how the watermark will be printedon a recording sheet. While examining the image on the preview window22, the user selects, on the position box 23, an orientation and aposition of the watermark on the recording sheet. When, the user clicksan OK button, then the new watermark is generated and added to thewatermark selection list 14.

On the other hand, when the watermark is a bitmap image watermark, thenthe user indicates a storing location of bitmap data based on which thebitmap image watermark is generated. Specifically, the user can input afile name of the bitmap data in the bitmap box 21. Alternatively, theuser can select a bitmap file by clicking on a reference button. Also,while examining the image on the preview window 22, the user can selectenlargement or reduction in size on the bitmap box 21, and anorientation, a position, and the like on the position box 23. When, theuser clicks an OK button, then the new watermark is generated and addedto the watermark selection list 14.

When the user wishes to change any watermark listed to the watermarkselection list 14, then the user clicks on a change button 15 displayedon the watermark dialog 12. Then, the watermark setting dialog 17 ofFIG. 3 is displayed. When the user controls the title box 18 to pulldown and display the watermark selection list 14 and selects a desiredwatermark therefrom, and the preview window 22 displays an image of theselected watermark. The user can change any settings of the watermark asdesired on the text box 20 or the bitmap box 21, and the position box23. When the user presses the OK button, then the watermark is changedaccording to the settings.

When the user wishes to delete any watermark from the watermarkselection list 14, the user select a watermark from the watermarkselection list 14 on the watermark dialog 12, and then clicks on adelete button 28.

According to the above-described embodiment, the printer driver 3 of thecomputer 1 combines watermarks with print data for corresponding pagesso as to generate updated print data, and outputting the updated printdata as a single print job. For example, when a user generates imageincluding a first page for a client and a second page for his or herown, the user may select a “CONFIDENTIAL” watermark for the first page,and a “COPY” watermark for the second page. Then, the printer driver 3combines the “CONFIDENTIAL” watermark with the print data for the firstpage so as to produce updated print data for the first page, combinesthe “COPY” watermark with the print data for the second page so as toproduce updated print data for the second page, and then outputs thesetwo sets of the updated print data as a single print job to the printer7 via the printer interface 4. In this way, different watermarks can beselected and set for each page in a simple and reliable manner.

Because the printer driver 3 combines watermarks with the print data forcorresponding pages, there is no need for the user to select and set thedesired watermarks for the pages using the application software 2 of thecomputer 1. Therefore, there is no need for the user to performcomplicated operations.

It should be noted that although a different watermark is set for eachpage in the above-described embodiment, a different watermark can be setfor a plurality of selected pages. For example, the user may set a“COMPANY SECRET” watermark for first to third pages and a “CONFIDENTIAL”watermark for fourth to tenth pages. In this case, the first to thirdpages are handled as a page unit, and the fourth to tenth pages arehandled as an another page unit.

Moreover, a plurality of table patterns may be prestored in the printerdriver 3. The table pattern indicates correspondence between a pagenumber and a preselected different watermark. In this case, there is noneed for the user to set watermarks for each page every and each timewhen the user wishes to print images, but the user can merely select adesired one of the table patterns.

In addition, using the computer 1, a user can obtain a plurality ofdocument copies of an original image and set a different watermark foreach of the document copies. For example, it is assumed that an originalimage includes four pages and that the user wishes to obtain threecopies of the original image with no watermark for a first copy, the“COMPANY SECRET” watermark for a second copy, and the “CONFIDENTIAL”watermark for a third copy. In this case, the application 2 outputsfirst-page worth of image data to the printer driver 3 three times eachfor each of the three copies. Then, the first-page worth of the imagedata for the first copy is combined with no watermark. The first-pageworth of the image data for the second copy is combined with the“COMPANY SECRET” watermark, and the first-page worth of the image datafor the third copy is combined with the “CONFIDENN TIAL” watermark.Next, second-page-worth of the image data is output from the application2 three times each for each of the three copies. The second-page worthof the image data for the first copy is combined with no watermark. Thesecond-page worth of the image data for the second copy is combined withthe “COMPANY SECRET” watermark, and the second-page worth of the imagedata for the third copy is combined with the “CONFIDENTIAL” watermark.The same process is repeatedly executed for all pages. Then, all thedata is output as a single print job to the printer 7.

Next, a computer 101 according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention will be described while referring to FIGS. 6 to 8. It shouldbe noted that components of the computer 101 which are the same as orsimilar to those of the computer 1 will be designated with the samenumbering, and explanations thereof are omitted in order to avoidduplication in explanation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the computer 101 of the second embodiment has thesame configuration as the computer 1 of the first embodiment shown inFIG. 1, except that the computer 101 further includes a spool 130. Thespool 130 temporarily stores image data received from the application 2,and outputs the image data to the image information converting program 5once for each document copy.

That is, first the user generates an image at the application 2 of thecomputer 101, and indicates a number of document copies he or she wishesto obtain. Next, the user performs watermark selection, that is, theuser selects whether or not to use any watermark, whether to use awatermark on a first document copy only or commonly on all the documentcopies, or whether to use a different watermark for each of the documentcopies. This watermark selection is performed on a setting dialogsimilar to the watermark setting dialog 17 of FIG. 2. Because theprocess for selecting watermarks is similar to the process of the firstembodiment described above while referring to FIG. 2, detaileddescription will be omitted. It should be noted that providing a dialogincluding a box 127 shown in FIG. 7 and the watermark setting dialog 17,the user can perform the process for setting watermarks in a simplemanner.

Next, when the user inputs a print command, a copy process representedby the flowchart of FIG. 8 is started. The copy process is for combiningprint data with a corresponding watermark so as to update the print dataand for outputting the updated print data to the printer interface 4.

Once the copy process is started, first a copy number of a currentdocument copy is detected (S101), and the image data is converted toprint data (S102). Next, it is detected whether or not any watermark isselected for the current copy (S103). If not (S103:NO), then the printdata is output to the printer interface 4, and the present process isended. If so (S103:YES), then it is detected whether or not a watermarkis individually selected for each of the document copies (S104). If so(S104:YES), then a watermark selected for the current document copy isretrieved (S105), and combined with the print data (S107), therebyupdating the print data. The updated print data is output to the printerinterface 4 (S108), and the present process is ended. On the other hand,if not (S104:NO), then a watermark selected in common for all thedocument copies is retrieved (S106), and combined with the print data(S107), thereby updating the print data. The updated print data isoutput to the printer interface 4 (S108), and the present process isended. When the copy process is ended, then the printer interface 4outputs the print data as a print job to the printer 7. The printer 7executes printing based on the print job.

The above-described copy process is repeatedly executed for each of thedocument copies. As a result, the plurality of document copies eachformed with the original image and a corresponding watermark areproduced.

As described above, the user can select and set a desired watermark foreach of a plurality of document copies in a simple and reliable manner.

It should be noted that the above-described copy process is executed inthe same manner regardless of whether the image includes a single pageonly or a plurality of pages. That is, when the image includes aplurality of pages, image data for all pages are temporarily stored inthe spool 130. Then, the image data is converted into print data andcombined with a watermark selected for a current copy. As a result,print data for a plurality of pages each combined with the selectedwatermark is generated and output to the printer interface 4.

According to the embodiments described above, print data is combinedwith watermarks and output as a single job to the printer 7, there is noneed for the printer 7 to include a memory for storing watermarks nor aprogram for combining received print data and a watermark retrieved fromthe memory of the printer 7. Therefore, the configuration of the printer7 can be simplified. Moreover, because an effect of the presentinvention is not limited by a memory capacity of the printer 7, awatermark which has a relatively large data size can be used regardlessof which type of printer is used.

It should be noted that although the watermarks in the above-describedembodiments includes stamp marks, such as “CONFIDENTIAL” and “DRAFT”,the watermarks can also include any other type of information, such as acompany logo, a company address, a company name, and the like. Becausethe watermarks are selected by a user as desired, there is no limitationbetween an the original image and watermarks to be used. That is,although in the above-described embodiments, the watermarks are selectedin accordance with usage of a document page or a document copy, thewatermarks can be selected regardless of usage of the document andcontents of the original image.

While some exemplary embodiments of this invention have been describedin detail, those skilled in the art will recognize that there are manypossible modifications and variations which may be made in theseexemplary embodiments while yet retaining many of the novel features andadvantages of the invention.

For example, although in the above-described embodiment the printerdriver 3 is installed to the computer 1 from the floppy disk, theprinter driver 3 can be installed from any memory, such as CD-ROM, ICcard, photomagnetic disk, and the like.

1. A control device provided to an image data generating deviceincluding an image data generating unit that generates image data for aplurality of pages and a communication unit communicable with anexternal image forming device, the control device comprising: areceiving unit that receives the image data from the image datagenerating unit; a converting unit that converts one-page-worth of theimage data into print data; a mark selecting unit that selects one of aplurality of marks for each one of the plurality of pages; and a markcombining unit that combines the print data with corresponding one ofthe plurality of marks selected by the mark selecting unit.
 2. Thecontrol device according to claim 1, further comprising an outputtingunit that outputs the print data updated by the mark combining unit tothe communication unit.
 3. The control device according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of marks include any one or ones of characters andletters.
 4. The control device according to claim 1, further comprisinga mark generating unit that generates a plurality of marks.
 5. An imagedata generating device comprising: an image data generating unit thatgenerates image data for a plurality of pages: a converting unit thatconverts one page worth of the image data into print data; a markselecting unit that selects one of a plurality of marks for each one ofthe plurality of pages; and a mark combining unit that combines theprint data with corresponding one of the plurality of marks selected bythe mark selecting unit, thereby updating the print data.
 6. The imagedata generating device according to claim 5, further comprising anoutputting unit that outputs the print data to an external image formingdevice, wherein the converting unit repeatedly converts one-page-worthof the image data into print data for all of the plurality of pages, themark combining unit repeatedly combines the print data withcorresponding one of the plurality of marks for all of the plurality ofpages, and the outputting unit outputs all the print data for theplurality of pages updated by the mark combining unit as a single printjob to the external image forming device.
 7. The image data generatingdevice according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of marks include anyone or ones of characters and letters.
 8. The image data generatingdevice according to claim 5, further comprising a mark generating unitthat generates a plurality of marks.
 9. A control method of controllinga data generating device communicable with an external image formingdevice, comprising the steps of: a) selecting one of a plurality ofmarks for each of a plurality of pages; b) converting one-page-worth ofimage data into print data; and c) combining the print data withcorresponding one of the plurality of marks selected in the step a),thereby updating the print data.
 10. The control method according toclaim 9, further comprising the step of d) outputting the print dataupdated in the step c) to an external image forming device, wherein thesteps b) and c) are repeatedly executed for all of the plurality ofpages, and all the print data updated in the step c) is output as asingle print job in the step d).
 11. The control method according toclaim 9, wherein the plurality of marks include any one or ones ofcharacters and letters.
 12. The control method according to claim 9,further comprising the step of e) generating a plurality of marks.
 13. Acomputer readable storing medium storing a program of controlling a datagenerating device communicable with an external image forming device,the program comprising the programs of: a) selecting one of a pluralityof marks for each of a plurality of pages; b) converting one-page-worthof image data into print data; and c) combining the print data withcorresponding one of the plurality of marks selected by the program a),thereby updating the print data.
 14. The storing medium according toclaim 13, wherein the program further comprises the program of d)outputting the print data updated by the step c) to an external imageforming device, wherein the programs b) and c) are repeatedly executedfor all of the plurality of pages, and all the print data updated by theprogram c) is output as a single print job by the program d).
 15. Thestoring medium according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of marksinclude any one or ones of characters and letters.
 16. The storingmedium according to claim 13, wherein the program further comprises theprogram of e) generating a plurality of marks.
 17. The control deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the mark is a watermark, the watermarkbeing a predetermined image formed over at least a portion of the printdata on at least one of the plurality of pages.
 18. The image datagenerating device according to claim 5, wherein the mark is a watermark,the watermark being a predetermined image formed over at least a portionof the print data on at least one of the plurality of pages.
 19. Thecontrol method according to claim 9, wherein the mark is a watermark,the watermark being a predetermined image formed over at least a portionof the print data on at least one of the plurality of pages.
 20. Thestoring medium according to claim 13, wherein the mark is a watermark,the watermark being a predetermined image formed over at least a portionof the print data on at least one of the plurality of pages.
 21. Acontrol device provided to an image data generating device including animage data generating unit that generates image data for at least one ofa plurality of pages and a document, and a communication unitcommunicable with an external image forming device, the control devicecomprising: a receiving unit that receives the image data from the imagedata generating unit; a converting unit that converts the image datainto print data; a mark selecting unit that selects one of a pluralityof marks for at least one of each one of the plurality of pages and eachcopy of the document; and a mark combining unit that combines the printdata with corresponding one of the plurality of marks selected by themark selecting unit.